Bristol Palin attends the Candie's Foundation 2011 event to prevent benefit gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 3, 2011 in New York City. (Getty Images)

(Newser)
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Yes, Bristol Palin did indeed have surgery at the end of last year, but not the kind you might think. The 20-year-old explains to Us the reason she looks so different these days: jaw surgery. Corrective jaw surgery. "It's not plastic surgery," she says. "Yes, it improved the way I look, but this surgery was necessary for medical reasons ... so my jaw and teeth could properly realign." And thank goodness for journalism: The AP reports that Palin's "new look" includes a 5-pound weight loss.

While growing up, she wore braces and a device to fix an overbite, but always knew she'd need surgery, she says. As for cosmetic surgery, she'd never get it "unless I got in an accident or something terrible and got disfigured," she says. Even so, she is happy with the side effects of the jaw surgery: "I look older, more mature, and don't have as much of a chubby little baby face!" Compare and contrast her new and old looks here or click to see one or two amusing reactions to Bristol's explanation.

I like the dig at other journalists for writing about this to begin with...but if any of the writers actually meant that, this stuff wouldn't be aggregated. For all our whining, I think the fluff stories must get the most views.

sallythedoctor

May 12, 2011 10:13 AM CDT

This story might actually be legit. My aunt had the same problem, and the orthodontist told her that if braces didn't fix it (luckily, they did), she'd have to get surgery or she'd go deaf. Apparently, having a weird jaw can really fuck you up.